Anne Mazar: Mosquito prevention doesn’t come out of a spray can

With the recent warm winter, early spring, warming planet and mosquitoes liking 80-degree weather, it is likely an abundance of mosquitoes is in our future. Besides being annoying, mosquitoes have been known to carry Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile virus, although rare, and other diseases.

Unless you are a bird or bat that eats mosquitoes or a plant that needs pollination from a mosquito, I am guessing you are not a fan of these insects.

With the recent warm winter, early spring, warming planet and mosquitoes liking 80-degree weather, it is likely an abundance of mosquitoes is in our future. Besides being annoying, mosquitoes have been known to carry Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile virus, although rare, and other diseases.

However, in our frenzy to get rid of the insect, we too often use an unnecessary shotgun approach with toxic pesticides. This can be detrimental to human health, increase the mosquito population by killing the mosquito predators and contaminate drinking water. Widespread spraying can also create more resilient mosquitoes from the surviving mosquitoes that were resistant to the pesticide.

There are useful alternatives, effective preventive tactics and more target approaches that are better for you, the environment and your barbecue.

The best prevention method is to reduce the mosquito population by getting rid of standing water. A mosquito only needs a bottle cap of water to lay her eggs, and females can lay 250 eggs. Many species of mosquitoes do not travel far from where they hatch, so reducing the standing water in the vicinity of your yard can be an incredible deterrent.

After a rain, water should be dumped from items that can collect it, such as children’s toys, watering cans, flowerpot bases or drinking cups. Clean gutters will not retain standing water. Birdbaths and pet water bowls, however, should be cleaned and refilled every three to five days. If you will be away on vacation, tip the birdbath and other containers over so water will not collect.

Black plastic used as a weed barrier catches water and is almost impossible to drain. A better solution is a paper biodegradable weed mat; the water can soak through. If you have a frog pond, consider fish to eat the larvae or a small fountain to keep the water moving, or use organic Bacillus thuringiensis tablets to kill the larvae.

Prevention, rather than spraying, to kill adult mosquitos is a better line of defense. According to the nonprofit group Beyond Pesticides, the pesticides most commonly used in the U.S. are neurotoxic and have been linked to cancer and other illnesses. It is also well documented that indiscriminate spraying is harmful to wildlife.

Instead of fogging a large area, focus on your body and immediate surroundings. Avoid being outside at dawn and dusk, which are peak mosquitoes times, and if outside, wear long sleeves or pants. Try safe and effective herbal ointments; visit www.consumersearch.com for an analysis of herbal insect repellants.

If using more toxic repellants, such as products with DEET, apply them to your clothes instead of your skin. Screen in a porch and screen under the floorboards to prevent mosquito entry, or buy a freestanding-screened area.

Page 2 of 2 - For larger-scale control in your yard, there are several options. However, one is not a “bug zapper.” They do not kill many mosquitoes, but they are good at attracting and killing the beneficial insects.

There are some devices, such as the Mosquito Magnet, that produce CO2, moisture and heat to mimic humans. They attract and trap the breeding insects, offering a longterm solution for a 1-acre area. Another option is an organic control using a strong garlic mixture that can be sprayed and is odorless. There are also products, such as Mosquito Barrier, that claim to effectively keep mosquitoes at bay for one month. Mosquito Beater, granules made from geranium, cedar, lemon and citronella, can be sprinkled on the lawn to repel mosquitoes for three weeks. The ThermCELL Lantern offers a 15-by-15-inch zone of protection against mosquitoes and other biting insects.

On a townwide scale, municipalities should have a comprehensive plan that includes public awareness and prevention, monitoring where mosquitoes breed and testing if mosquitoes are carrying disease. Spraying should only be considered if there is a known threat of mosquito-borne disease. If spraying is done, biological and organic methods should be considered first, and all treatments should be targeted to specific sites.

Public awareness campaigns should focus on prevention information and the removal of roadside garbage, plastic cups, beverage cans and bottles, old tires, etc., to reduce standing water. Storm drains and catch basins should be kept clean.